(669c) Lignocellulosic Biomass Derived N and S Doped Porous Carbon for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) represents a key cathode reaction in fuel cells and metal–air batteries but high cost due to noble metal as catalyst limits its large-scale implementation. Lignocellulosic biomass is potential feedstock in carbonization for sustainable, active, inexpensive, and stable electrocatalyst preparation to replace Pt-based materials for the oxygen reduction reaction. Heteroatom doping (N, B, S, et al) can enhance carbon materials’ electrocatalyst performance by improving the wettability and conductivity. Lignosulfonate (LS) is a cheap and common biomass and contain S and inspired by this, we dope N into LS to obtain N and S co-doped porous carbon by ammoxidation and carbonization and used as electrocatalyst in ORR approaching the performance of 20 wt% Pt/C. Furthermore, we are conducting works on modification of technical lignins followed by heteroatom doping and carbonization and nonprecious metals loading for ORR and more electro-chemistry for example Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions (HER and OER).